HP partners with blacklisted Huawei to license its WiFi tech

• The licensing deal includes reciprocal patent rights from HP and follows a 2024 settlement that gave HP access to a pool of 2,000 patents related to wireless connectivity through Sisvel WiFi 6
• Huawei was a founding member of the Sisvel WiFi 6 patent pool that HP gained access to after resolving the dispute
• The agreement shows continued business collaboration between U.S. and Chinese tech firms despite the 2019 U.S. blacklisting that prevented American suppliers like Google from working with Huawei

Summary: HP Licenses WiFi Technology from Blacklisted Huawei

HP Inc. has entered into a multi-year global licensing agreement with China's Huawei Technologies to access certain WiFi patents, the companies announced Wednesday. This partnership is notable given U.S. restrictions imposed on Huawei in 2019 that effectively barred American companies from supplying the Chinese telecommunications giant.

Key Details:

• The cross-licensing deal provides HP access to Huawei's WiFi technology patents while granting Huawei reciprocal patent rights from HP
• The agreement follows resolution of a patent dispute between the companies late last year involving wireless network connectivity
• HP previously gained access to approximately 2,000 patents through the Sisvel WiFi 6 patent pool, of which Huawei was a major contributor

Companies Involved:

• HP Inc. (HPQ) - U.S.-based personal computing and printing firm, formed in 2015 after Hewlett-Packard Company split into two entities
• Huawei Technologies - Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturer currently on U.S. blacklist
• Sisvel WiFi 6 - patent pool facilitating wireless connectivity technology licensing

Market Implications:

The deal demonstrates Huawei's continued influence in global technology standards despite U.S. sanctions, particularly in WiFi and wireless connectivity innovations. It highlights how intellectual property licensing agreements can facilitate technology transfer even amid geopolitical tensions and export restrictions. The partnership allows HP to remain competitive in wireless connectivity features while Huawei monetizes its patent portfolio and maintains technological relevance outside China.

HP was scheduled to report earnings Thursday morning Beijing time.